Whole Foods buys New Frontiers in SLO for first Central Coast store

Austin-based Whole Foods Market has purchased four New Frontiers stores, including the one in San Luis Obispo. Pictured, the inside of a Whole Foods store. (Whole Foods media photo)

Grocery giant Whole Foods Market has purchased the New Frontiers Natural Marketplace in San Luis Obispo, setting the stage for its first Central Coast store.

Austin-based Whole Foods announced on March 31 that it has purchased the New Frontiers stores in San Luis Obispo and in Flagstaff, Prescott and Sedona, Ariz. Terms of the deal — which is expected to close in coming weeks — were not disclosed.

New Frontiers also has a store in Solvang, where it is headquartered. The company did not provide any details on the future of that location.

Whole Foods said it will offer jobs to New Frontiers team members at the four acquired locations.

“Over the years, when I have at times wondered if our stores would someday merge with a larger strategic partner, Whole Foods Market has always been my premier choice,” New Frontiers President Jonathan King said in a statement. “We are very enthusiastic about their ability to take our stores into a successful future. We know they will provide growth opportunities for our exceptional team members, and continue to bring retail excellence and outstanding service to our local communities.”

Whole Foods said the stores will continue to operate under the New Frontiers banner “until they are re-signed as Whole Foods Market stores,” but didn’t provide a timeframe for the transition. The stores average 22,000 square feet, it said.

“We are excited to expand our presence to new markets in Arizona and Central California, bringing our fresh, delicious and competitively-priced products with the highest quality standards in the business to these vibrant communities,” Patrick Bradley, Southern Pacific regional president for Whole Foods, said in a statement.

The San Luis Obispo store, located at 1531 Froom Ranch Way, will mark Whole Foods’ fourth location in the region. The company also has stores in Santa Barbara, Oxnard and Thousand Oaks.